Carlo Ancelotti’s admiration for Spanish defender faces financial roadblocks | OneFootball

Real Madrid have set their sights on bolstering their defence in the upcoming winter and summer transfer windows.

According to a report from The Athletic, Carlo Ancelotti has a strong admiration for Aymeric Laporte, but signing him could pose financial challenges for the club.

Laporte’s experience at both Athletic Club in La Liga and Manchester City in the Premier League makes him a standout option. However, the financial hurdles make his acquisition a complex prospect.

Real Madrid want a defender

Real Madrid’s priorities for these transfer windows are clear: they aim to secure reinforcements in the centre-back and right-back positions.

Talks for a summer transfer are already underway for a centre-back, and while Laporte is highly rated by Ancelotti, the club is also exploring alternative options.

One such alternative is Vitor Reis of Palmeiras. Real Madrid have sought information about the young defender from his agents and the club.

Carlo Ancelotti admires Aymeric Laporte. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

However, no decision has been made, and Premier League teams currently appear to be leading the race for his signature.

Similarly, Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig is another name on the radar, but recent reports suggest there have been no serious moves to bring him to Madrid.

A more affordable option could be Rafa Marin, a former academy player. Currently at Napoli, Marin is not seeing much playing time, and Real Madrid have an accessible buy-back clause for the young defender.

Then what’s the problem?

Despite these alternatives, Laporte remains the most appealing choice for Ancelotti, largely due to his vast experience at the highest levels of European football.

His ability to adapt to La Liga, combined with his leadership and defensive prowess, could bring immediate solidity to Real Madrid’s backline.

For now, though, the club has not made any firm decisions regarding their next defensive target. As discussions progress, it will be interesting to see which direction Real Madrid take to strengthen their squad.